New rainy system protects Ueckermünder Heide from forest fires!

New rainy system protects Ueckermünder Heide from forest fires!

Ueckermünder Heide, Deutschland - In the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald, a new irrigation system for forest fire fighting was inaugurated. On June 23, 2025, the German Federal Environmental Foundation handed over the innovative rainy system, which is now being used in the Ueckermünder Heide. This impressive area of ​​9,600 hectares is considered a natural heritage area and requires special measures to protect against forest and grassland fires.

The protection of these valuable ecosystems is becoming increasingly urgent, especially in view of the changing climatic conditions. Extremely high temperatures and long drying times make forests increasingly susceptible to fires. Researchers emphasize that climate change in many regions, even in cold -approved climate zones, leads to longer dry periods. The tensions between nature and the environment and the needs of people have become more complex, since urbanization processes and emigration from rural areas also influence the management of these areas. This not only promotes the risk of forest fires, but also presents the infrastructures with new challenges, such as the organization of fire brigades or the provision of resources to combat such extreme events.

forest fire risk management in focus

The introduction of the irrigation system is part of a more comprehensive approach in forest fire risk management that is increasingly gaining public interest. In 2022, initiatives such as the Fire-in project recognized the need to close capacity gaps in forest fire fighting and also to develop a "Fire & Rescue Strategic Research and Standardization Agenda". This pursues the goal of actively involving various actors such as forestry and agriculture, fire brigades or the population in order to contribute to effective prevention.

The experiences of recent years show that extremely hot summer, as they were experienced in 2022, significantly increase the risk of fire. While the number of forest fires in Germany decreased significantly between 1991 and 2017, the years 2018 and 2019 experienced a dramatic increase in fires due to exceptional weather conditions, especially in the northeastern federal states. Particularly noteworthy are the large area affected by fires, as well as the various causes of ignition, which range from negligent action to arson.

preventive measures at a glance

The forest fire risk management must be constantly optimized. Measures to improve the detection and containment of fires have already shown positive effects. Old fire guard towers were replaced by modern digital sensors that monitor and deliver valuable information to the forest fire centers. Furthermore, classic precautionary measures such as wound strips and water withdrawal points are still relevant in order to be able to react quickly in an emergency.

Overall, the challenges can be mastered better if the various influencing factors and risks in forest management are identified and analyzed more clearly. With the new irrigation system in the Ueckermünder Heide, the district sets an important sign in prevention and shows that effective measures to combat forest fires are increasingly at the center of public interest.

The developments and investments in the field of forest fire fighting are essential to prevent future fires and to protect our country's valuable ecological resources. A good knack in risk analysis and evaluation will be crucial for the success of such initiatives.